KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the allegations that the coalition has bribed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with RM1 billion to overthrow the unity government is a nonsensical slander.
In a statement, Muhyiddin said those who create and spread such slander are committing a serious offence under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Penal Code.
"The allegations are baseless, outrageous and nonsensical slander.
"This malicious slander has also been embraced by several PH leaders, including those holding positions within the government.
He said, as such, a police report was filed by the opposition leader and PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin so that those involved could be investigated and decisive action taken against them.
"I caution the leaders of PH and their associates not to drag the royal institution into this wicked and dirty political defamation tactic.
"Do not slander others merely to cover up your weaknesses and failures."
Muhyiddin added that Malaysia has specific provisions in the Federal Constitution that stipulate legitimate procedures and methods for the appointment of the Prime Minister and the formation of the government.
"The Federal Constitution allows a government to be formed either through elections or outside of elections, such as when the Prime Minister resigns for any reason.
These constitutional provisions must be adhered to in determining any government formation or change," he said.
On Tuesday, Anwar's political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin called for an investigation into an allegation that a PN leader was involved in trying to offer bribes to influential figures and members of parliament (MP) to topple the unity government.
The claims, which were posted on a blog, said the PN leader, who is an MP, had set aside some RM1 billion in funds to bribe government MPs into retracting their support for the prime minister.
Bersatu has since refuted such claims.